A FATHER-OF-ONE who pointed an imitation handgun at two women and called them 'grasses' has been jailed.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Daniel Shaw had taken exception to his victims after they had told him to leave their bed sit accommodation in the town.

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The court heard how Shaw, 35, of no fixed address, had been at the property in Wren Street a number of times in the weeks before the incident visiting his friend Mark McGranaghan.

Two days before the firearm threat Shaw is alleged to have committed an act of criminal damage at the property. The prosecution decided not to proceed with that case but asked that it remain on file.

But it was as a result of that allegation that prosecutor Neville Biddle told the court that victims Jade Rogers and Elizabeth Neald told Shaw to leave the property at around 9.30pm on September 30.

The court was told how Shaw was stood at the bottom of a single flight of 12 steps and the victims were at the top.

Mr Biddle said: “The victims heard some noise from downstairs. It was clear the defendant had come into the property. But Jade Rogers and Elizabeth Neald told him he shouldn’t be there.

“The defendant took from his clothing what had the appearance of being a firearm and pointed it at his victims.”

In a statement to the police Miss Rogers described the firearm as a black or dark blue handgun.

Mr Biddle said the firearm had never been recovered so the prosecution was never able to prove whether it was capable of firing.

Mr Biddle said: “In her victim impact statement Jade Rogers said ‘I didn’t want him to think I was scared. I laughed at him and went into my flat. But I was petrified and I thought he was going to use it. I just wanted to get back into my flat with Elizabeth’.”

The court was told the weapon was never discharged.

Shaw, who had 35 previous convictions for 73 offences, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Defending, Mark Stuart said his client wanted to serve his time imprisonment usefully.

Judge Ian Leeming said he accepted Shaw had shown genuine remorse and sentenced him to 15 months imprisonment.